9 things to know about the Maldives — besides the fact that it has picturesque beaches – Mic

Many people think of the Maldives, a country made up of hundreds of islands southwest of India, as the perfect tropical paradise for a honeymoon or a vacation. They picture white sand beaches, clear blue water and calming waves. The Maldives has all of that, but if that’s all you know about the island nation, here are more things you should know before you go.

1. The Maldives is one of the least populous countries in the world. With around 400,000 inhabitants, the Maldives is the least populous country in Asia and is ranked 177 worldwide in terms of total population. It is composed of close to 1,200 islands spread across 26 atolls, and only about 180 of those islands are inhabited.